Commentator slams USVI Governor over charter fee stance
Commentator Claude Skelton Cline has criticised the stance taken by USVI Governor, Albert Bryan Jr, arguing that the US Virgin Islands government is misrepresenting the charter fee dispute with the BVI while benefiting extensively from BVI waters and tourism exposure.
Speaking on his Honestly Speaking programme this week, Skelton Cline pointed to what he described as a contradiction between the USVI government’s access to federal resources and its complaints about fees charged by the BVI to USVI-based charter operators. He said the USVI Governor recently referenced receiving billions in federal support while simultaneously objecting to BVI charter fees, which he framed as modest in comparison.
“You open the tourist book of the Virgin Islands of the United States, and more than 50 percent of the advertisement in their tourism book is in our waters,” Skelton Cline said. “And you shouldn’t pay for it? $24,000 a year for your little boat to do business in our country?” he added.
The commentator also criticised the Governor’s decision to escalate the issue beyond the territory, including appeals to the US federal administration. He argued that invoking Washington placed unnecessary external pressure on the BVI, despite what he characterised as the economic value USVI operators derive from operating in BVI waters.
“Last night we heard Governor Bryan, at the same breath, talk about the $25 billion they received from the federal government and then talk about ranting and raving about the BVI and its fees,” Skelton Cline said.
The charter fee dispute has centred on charges imposed by the BVI on foreign-based charter vessels operating in its waters. BVI authorities have maintained that the fees reflect regulatory oversight, environmental management and the commercial use of BVI marine space. The issue was further intensified after the USVI signalled possible retaliatory measures and sought intervention from US federal officials, prompting concern within the BVI tourism and marine sectors.
Skelton Cline argued that the current framing of the issue ignores the broader economic relationship between the two territories, particularly the reliance of USVI charter operators on BVI anchorages, beaches and sailing routes. He suggested that public discourse on the matter should acknowledge that reality, rather than portraying the fees as punitive or unfair.
“And then you’re going to appeal to President Trump and the State Department, got to talk to our FCDO office,” he said while questioning who would compensate the BVI for the economic value derived from its waters if the fees were removed.
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Good point Cline
I thought it was a more credible commentator like Cyndi doing the slamming, because the Claude will be salivating at the mouth if governor Albert Bryan gives him a contract for doing nothing.
The people want too much money for the horse track rental…Now he wants to kill the usvi with high prices
A Spanish woman say “yu no good a tal.” You need to change your name to Woops.
The local politician responded to his voter concerns. Which part of that is unfamilar to Rev. Skelton Cline?
The USVI Governor, having little leverage legally and locally, did what politicians can do… He fobbed it off to higher authority, in this case the federal government.
We see it all the time in the BVI. Enough people complain to a Minister, so the Minister holds a stakeholders meeting to air grievances and clear up confusion… Stakeholders are fearful of retribution, should they speak up in front of the various powers-that-be with the Minister present, so nothing happens. The Minister goes home able to show that “he did something”.
Situation Normal.
Iam convinced that Gov Bryan has been instructed by Trump to “do or die”.
Trump has stated and demonstrated by bold action that the drug cartel and the effect on the USA and its citizens,is his project to destroy with no mercy.
These VI are not in alignment with Trump on this matter as These VI have boldly refused efforts to assist in this matterwith effective border patrol.
The UK so far has been the buffer to Trumps immediate response with action against the BVI..
We have placed ourselves in a big muc The BVI is the demon and placed the USVI Governor in a tight spot for himself and the USVI.
We are the frenemy of the USVi and we will pay big time.
Just charge a large “fee” to re-enter the US once they leave BVI to fly out of STT, problem solved.
Make all the BVI tourists fly thru the Beef Island nightmare if they won’t pay…..tourism stopped in its tracks.